Effects of the entomopathogen concentration of Beauveria Bassiana [Bals] Vuil for biological control of Helicoverpa armigera Hubner [Lepidoptera : Noctuidae]

Abstract

Beauveria bassiana is an entomopathogenic fungus found in the rhizosphere, known to affect the mortality of H. Armigera. The research was conducted at the Laboratory of Biological Control, Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Andalas University, from January 2019 to March 2019. The aim of this study, therefore, is to obtain an effective concentration with the optimal characteristics of controlling H. armigera, utilizing a completely randomized design, with 4 treatments and 5 replications. In addition, the treatment required the application of B. bassiana suspension, at a concentration of [A] 5×107 conidia/ml, [B] 1×108 conidia/ml, [C] 5×108 conidia/ml and [D] control [distilled water]. The results showed the treatment with the highest concentration [5×108 conidia/ml] possessed the ability to increase the mortality rate by 68% in the larvae of H. armigera, at an LT50 of 5.82 days. Hence, a higher concentration affects the lifespan, and nature of pupae, and adult pests formed.